Abstract

FISCHER, GERHARD; ALMANZA-MERCHAN, PEDRO JOSÉ  and  RAMIREZ, FERNANDO. Source-sink relationships in fruit species: A review. rev.colomb.cienc.hortic. [online]. 2012, vol.6, n.2, pp.238-253. ISSN 2011-2173.

Fruit production and quality depend on adequate source-sink relationships. Carbohydrates (CH) translocated from leaves or reserve organs are the most important for the growth and development of sink organs (mainly fruits). Up to 60% of CH produced daily can be lost through respiration. Carbohydrates constitute over 65% of the dry matter of tree crops. Increasing the leaf-fruit ratio generally increases fruit growth and CH content. Photosynthesis increases with fruit load and the leaves next to fruits are strong sources for CH. The leaf-fruit ratio is species, cultivar and geographic location dependent. The optimal leaf area in various species is 200 cm² per 100 g of fruit.

Keywords : carbohydrates; translocation; starch; leaf-fruit ratio.

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